Álarr adjusted the basket in his mouth before continuing to travel toward the tree line near the Orchard. Afi trudged along after him muttering something about ice fishing which Álarr promptly ignored. He had no intent trying to make a hole in the ice again. His efforts last year nearly ended with hypothermia for the both of them and the old cat was not the least bit grateful for the attempt.

The sun was slow to rise, its pale morning light dimmed by fog. Autumn clung to the land for now but winter was not far behind. He set the basket down as he arrived at the juniper shrubs full of small, waxy, blue berries. Perfect.

"Right, Álarr?"

"Ummm… sorry could you say that again?"

Afi hissed, his fur standing on end with such might he seemed almost entirely round. "Typical! You owe me after that dunking last year. Don't make me put rat guts under your pillow, I swear!"

Lore ambled between the tall orchard trees. Well, not all of them were particularly tall, but they all seemed tall to her. At two seasons old, she was just beginning now to stretch out into the long-limbed gangly form that would be her teenage years. For now, though, she was still most assuredly pup-sized. She hummed quietly to herself as she went, on no particular mission until she spotted Álarr amongst the trees. Her ears perked up and she trotted over. "Hi Álarr, hi Afi! What are you doing?" She examined his basket and then craned her head up at the juniper trees and their small blue berries.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Álarr sighed at his companion. "Let's have this discussion when we actually get snow. It's pointless right now. We'll both forget and end up having to have it again anyway, hold the basket still." Álarr reached out to grab one of the branches of juniper, holding it still while Brynhildr hopped along pulling the juniper berries off and dropping them into the basket.

While the trio worked Álarr caught the call of one of Avalon's young wolves, Lore, if he remembered correctly. He gently let the juniper branch go. "I'm gathering juniper berries to make a wound salve. Would you like to help?" He had yet to get a read on the interests of the packs young but what better time to start than the present.